August 02, 2007

My prediction was correct, the Ducks decided to pass on Penner and take the picks. Penner is now an Oiler. He will be their first-line left winger, but I still don't see 60 from him this year…but he'll be a lot closer.

The Rangers signed prospect Artem Anisimov to an entry level deal. The #64-ranked prospect on my rankings has a shot at the third-line job, he'll be up against Dubinsky.

Today, I predict that Brian Burke will take a pass on matching Dustin Penner's offer sheet with the Oilers.

Zach Parise signed a four-year deal with the Devils worth $12.5 million. I can't help but think he could have gotten more, especially considering that Dustin Penner will get more than him. Somebody's been into the Kool-Aid…

25-year-old Josef Balej has signed with the Canucks. He is a candidate to play right wing on the Sedins line, but I think Ryan Shannon will sew that one up. I don't think Balej would come back to North America if he wasn't assured that he would get a real shot at the NHL. At one time a highly regarded prospect, we'll see how well the sniper performs come training camp.

Dimitri Afanasenkov has signed a contract to play in the RSL this season. I don't think he'll come back.